Whether it’s a hard day at work or bad news on the television – if your first reaction is to down a bag of your favorite chips or to dig up some old candy in the bottom of your desk drawer – you may be a stress eater!

While it likely makes you feel awful, it’s actually a very common way for humans to deal with stress. (Don’t believe us? Rent a popular chick flick and watch as the friend of the girl who just got dumped grabs a pint of ice cream and two spoons!) Unfortunately, food and stress seem to be linked together. But why? Why do we go straight for our comfort foods as soon as something stressful happens?

Our bodies have developed a number of ways of dealing with stress. One key response is when your adrenal glands release cortisol, a hormone that can increase your appetite. This would all be well and good if we craved carrot sticks when we’re stressed out, but unfortunately we usually crave foods that are high in sugar and high in fat.

So, what can you do the next time the stress-munchies strike? Try taking a brief soak (15-20 minutes) in your hot tub!

Hot tubs are a great place to relax and help relieve your stress. Soaking in your hot tub can help balance your nerves and increase your dopamine levels. This will help you process all your feelings – and do a better job of it than that tub of mint chocolate chip. You’ll be saving your waistline and improving your health!

After your relaxing time in your hot tub, you will not only feel clearer-headed, but you’ll likely have a better night’s sleep, too! So, put down the cookies and chips and drown your stress in your hot tub next time you start feeling stressed out!

A lot of questions pop up once you’ve decided to bring home a spa. One of the most common we get here at Brothers Pool is whether a building permit is required. Nope, no building permit required!

In general, a prefabricated, above-ground pool, (a hot tub applies in this sense), that holds less than 5000 gallons of water does not require a building permit.

That said, there are a few other things you’ll want to consider. First, while you don’t need a building permit, you’ll almost certainly need an electrical permit. And whether you’re installing your hot tub on an existing deck or patio, or you’re working with a contractor to put in a new foundation pad, you’ll definitely need an electrician to do the installing.

If you’re putting in a new foundation, or installing your hot tub any distance from your house, you may need a plumber and a plumbing permit as well.

Along this same vein, before you go ahead with picking the location and installing your hot tub, it’s a good idea to double check if there are any neighborhood or Homeowner’s Association covenants that would throw a wrench in your plans. What kind of cover will you have on your hot tub? If it’s not a locking one, your subdivision or city may require a safety fence.

Installing your hot tub and then discovering you’ve violated your subdivision’s covenants in some way would be a terrible surprise, but with a little prior planning, all of these issues can be overcome pretty easily. We’re always happy to help with any other questions that may come up as you’re deciding on the perfect hot tub for your family. Contact us with any other thoughts. Ready to choose your ideal spa? With our large selection, it won’t be hard to find!

So, after learning about all the relaxation and health benefits that come with soaking in a spa, you decided to make the purchase. But now what? Are you wondering about the logistical part of preparing your home for your new hot tub? Let us help you with a few things you’ll want to consider.

Deck Set-up

Many people choose a deck as the home for their spa. This works for a lot of reasons, not least is that the more convenient the access, the more use you’ll get out of your spa. But, not just any deck can support the weight of a full spa, plus occupants. To figure out if your deck can take the weight, you’ll want to have a professional contractor inspection to determine the weight it can handle.

The amount of weight is calculated individually for every spa, based on its size, water capacity, and seating capacity. So, once you know which one you want, we’ll be able to tell you the exact amount of pounds per square foot for the hot tub you’ve chosen. You’ll give that calculation to your contractor, who can determine if your deck is compatible. Not to worry, if it’s not. That’s an easy problem to correct with additional support beams under the deck.

Foundation Pad

If you’re not setting your spa on an existing deck or patio, another foundation can be used. A concrete pad is the most common, but concrete bricks, compacted crushed rock, compacted pea gravel, or concrete pavers also work perfectly. We recommend you work with a professional contractor to pick the best one for your location.

Electrical Permits

Bringing home a new spa means running electric to it, which yes, will require an electrical permit. You’ll definitely want to work with a professional electrician to do the install.  There will also be some coordinating with your contractor.

At Brothers Pool, we’re also happy to help you every step of the way to answer any of your questions and to help coordinate, so on delivery day, you won’t have a thing to worry about! Still considering which spa is for you? Check out our selection. We have a range of options, from all types of above ground spas to luxurious in-ground ones.

Enjoying a daily soak in your spa is more than just a relaxing activity (although, it is definitely great for relaxing!). From decreasing stress to easing muscle aches and improving your blood pressure, the benefits are endless. Only one thing could ruin your evening soak: a dirty hot tub!

We’d hate for that to happen. But not to worry, as cleaning your spa is easy and doesn’t require too much work. We have a few guidelines, outside of your regular chemical maintenance, so you can make sure your spa stays in tip-top shape.

Clean the Filters

A quick rinse with warm water or even with the garden hose will keep your filters working properly. A good standard is to clean them once every 2 weeks, but do it more often if you’re using your spa heavily or having lots of guests over.

Circulate the Water

As many spas do this automatically, you may not need to think of it at all, but if your hot tub doesn’t, twice a day circulate the water for 10-15 minutes. The more the water circulates, the cleaner your spa stays.

Weekly Wipedown

Once a week, give your spa’s shell, the jets, and the waterline a quick scrub with a sponge. White vinegar makes a simple, all-natural cleaner and does a great job of removing any scum building up at the waterline. Every other week, give your cover a quick wipe to keep mildew away (a 10% bleach solution is a great cleaning option for the cover).

Monthly Drain and Clean

During regular use, to keep your spa clean, you’ll need to drain it and clean it every 3-4 weeks. Again, if you’re using your spa heavily or having a lot of guests over, you’ll want to do this step more often. After the hot tub is clean, refill it, and test the water to ensure your pH level is between 7.2-7.6.

Combined with your regular spa chemicals, it requires very little physical effort to keep your hot tub clean and sparkling, so it will be ready for a soak any time you need one!

Advances in technology can bring families together. This is true especially for families who are separated by distance. Chatting via email, social media and video calls opens new windows for us to communicate with our loved ones. But how does it affect the average family on a daily basis?

The average teenager spends close to nine hours on their smartphone every day.  Nine hours! Younger children between the age of 8-12 average a slightly less time on their electronics – about eight hours a day – while the average adult spends 73.8 hours every month on their cell phone The number one complaint from most families is that they don’t have enough time in their day. Hmm. Wonder where all the extra time is going?

Studies have shown that families who spend more screen-free time together are tighter knit. They talk more, sharing information about their day, their hopes for the future, their concerns and more. This time allows your children to gain a greater grasp on who they are as people, which is essential in their mental development and how they perceive themselves amongst their peers.

A great way to get more of this one-on-one bonding time is to be purposeful with your free time. Schedule nights during the week to focus on your family. For example, make Tuesday nights  game nights with popcorn! Or Friday nights can become “chill in the hot tub night.” This is a great way to end your week. Simply suit up and ask everyone to pile into the hot tub for some screen-free family time. Take time to ask each child how their day or week is going. Not only is this great family time but it also allows everyone to unwind and relax. Who knows – your hot tub may become the very place where trust is built and Google is no longer used to find out the answer for life’s tough questions.

Waking up and getting ready for the day can be a big struggle. Mondays can be the toughest day of the week. Memories of a relaxing weekend are still fresh in your mind and the realization of all that awaits you at work is hindering every muscle in your body from getting out of bed. Have you ever started your workweek in a similar mood? Not even your first Cup of Joe will give you enough oomph to get you started? Why not start your week in your hot tub?

Ease your muscles awake

Your hot tub will help wake up your tired muscles and allow you to relax and forget about all of the papers that are awaiting you at work. But, don’t get too comfortable, the warm water may beckon your tired body to get back into your sleepy state. Your hot tub is similar to a warm blanket straight out of the drier, but don’t let the warm waters reclaim you! Spice up things by turning on the jets and allowing them to caress and slowly waken up your tired limbs and back! Set your timer so that you have a reminder not to linger too long!

Hydrate and Stretch

Now, before you go and grab that first, second or third Cup of Joe, make sure you drink a tall glass of water! I know your brain is yelling coffee but the truth is that you really should start every day with water! Our bodies are made up of 60% of water! You just slept a straight 8 hours without providing it with any water! Starting off your work week well-hydrated is one of the best steps for ensuring that your body and mind will be in tip-top shape! Combine a tall glass of water with a deep and long stretch and you are set!

Try this method of starting your day for thirty days and see if your work weeks go smoother. What do you have to lose? Maybe ten minutes of sleep but I don’t think you will even notice! Your day is sure to go smoother and the outlook of your week is sure to sweeten by starting it in your hot tub!

Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet in the hot tub… This may be one of the most severely misquoted quotes but it may be exactly what you are needing to hear if you are wobbling home after a long day or night on your feet! Did you know that your hot tub or spa may be the exact remedy you have been seeking for your aching feet? Soaking them in your hot tub may be a welcomed relief but there are so many other ways that your hot tub can help relieve the pain you are experiencing. 

These extra steps will not only help you work out the kinks but also help strengthen your feet! Here are four exercises you can do to help your foot pain drift away!

Point like a Ballerina

Sit or stand and extend a pointed toe toward the floor of your hot tub. Slowly roll your foot flat and continue until you are pushing your heel toward the floor. After extending your heel, transition back into the pointed toe position. Continue to do this several times! Don’t forget the other foot.

Tennis Time

Grab a tennis ball and relieve your aching arches! If you have plantar fasciitis, this will feel so good! While standing in your hot tub, take a tennis ball and roll your foot back and forth on it. The motion of the tennis ball rolling across your sore arches will feel heavenly!

Stretch

While standing at the edge of your hot tub, position your toes against the wall (similar to a runner’s stretch). Lean forward slightly and allow the arches of your feet to stretch. A transition from right to left will ensure that both feet receive a great stretch.

Massage

Reward yourself with a massage provided by the jets on your hot tub! It may tickle but if you can get past the tickling sensation, you will be thankful for the relaxing pressure your hot tub jets will provide!

Do this consistently and after a short time, you will begin to feel the difference in your everyday life!

Have you ever stepped into a shower expecting a nice hot stream of water to hit you but instead you are greeted by a rush of much cooler water? It’s both shocking and not so enjoyable because in your mind you left it on lava hot and the last person to take a shower wanted a cold shower! Choosing a temperature for your hot tub can be very similar depending on who is enjoying it at the time. Is there a perfect temperature that pleases everyone? Not really! The perfect temperature depends on your personal preference but here are some guidelines that will help you decide on the best temperature for everyone.

85-94 Degrees

This is the perfect temperature for those hot days when you would much rather cool off over “hot tubbing”. The water will be refreshing and very much like your own small private pool. If you live in a colder climate where the temps drop during the night, make sure to heat it up before covering it for the night. You don’t want anything to freeze during the cooler temps! Although it sounds tempting, keeping lower temps with the idea of a lower electric bill may not be as fulfilling in the end. It can create stress on your hot tub’s heater and circuit board! Which could cost you more in the long run!

95-99 Degrees

Hot tubs are as attractive to children as a candle is to a moth…if you have kids, you know that they want to be in your hot tub with all of the rest of you…but… Pediatricians agree that children under the age of five should not be in hot tubs! Children five and older can be in hot tubs at lower temps and limited intervals of ten to fifteen minutes. Meaning that ten minutes in and ten minutes out would be best for their small bodies! During which, they should drink plenty of water!

100-104 Degrees

Now, if you are the type of person who likes to shower in lava water, these temps are the ones that appeal most to you! These temps are for healthy adults who are not pregnant and have no health issues. If you do have any health concerns, always talk to your doctor before entering a hot tub!

When your hot tub is not in use, lower your temperature only five degrees lower than your normal temp. That way it can easily climb to your preferred temp and will prevent any freezing from occurring in cooler weather.